UConn's Davis close to memorable receiving numbers

Chris Elsberry

Updated 8:34 pm, Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Photo: Rich Schultz, Getty Images

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Geremy Davis #85 of the Connecticut Huskies makes a catch in front of Logan Ryan #11 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at High Point Solutions Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Connecticut 19-3. less

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Geremy Davis #85 of the Connecticut Huskies makes a catch in front of Logan Ryan #11 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at High Point Solutions Stadium on ... more

Photo: Rich Schultz, Getty Images

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Rutgers wide receiver Ruhann Peele (80) attempts to tackle Connecticut wide receiver Geremy Davis (85) during the first half an NCAA college football game in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. Davis scored a touchdown on the play. less

Rutgers wide receiver Ruhann Peele (80) attempts to tackle Connecticut wide receiver Geremy Davis (85) during the first half an NCAA college football game in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. ... more

Photo: Fred Beckham, AP

UConn's Davis close to memorable receiving numbers

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STORRS -- Geremy Davis stands within striking distance of several single-season records, and if UConn interim head coach T.J. Weist truly wanted to end this season on a good note, he'd instruct his quarterback, Casey Cochran, to look for No. 85 as often as possible on Saturday.

Despite the team's disappointing season, despite being double- and at times triple-teamed, despite making chicken salad out of you-know-what, Davis, a junior receiver, has been a week-in and week-out success. And on Saturday against Memphis (1 p.m., ESPN3), that success should be rewarded.

With 56 receptions, Davis needs just four to become the first Husky receiver since Keron Henry (67) in 2004 with 60 catches, and five would tie him with Carl Bond (61) for 10th best all-time in a single season. Already with 878 yards, Davis needs just 122 yards to become the first receiver with 1,000 yards since Bond in 1998 (1,004) and would become just the ninth UConn receiver to crack the 1,000-yard mark.

And with seven receptions, Davis would tie Tory Taylor (113) for 11th place in career catches. Davis has 1,564 career receiving yards, and he needs just 51 to pass Henry (1,615) for 10th place all-time.

"I don't want to be selfish, I play for God. I'm not going to stand here and say I'm doing well," Davis said. "I want to do whatever I can to help my team. I put my trust in God and every time you have a play, you've got to think like it's your last play."

Against Temple, Davis caught just four passes, but one was a 33-yard touchdown catch from Cochran. He also made a 29-yard catch and a 16-yard grab on a third-and-6 that gave the Huskies a first-and-goal at the Temple 9. Three plays later, the Huskies scored.

Against Rutgers, Davis caught a 31-yard pass that put the ball at the Scarlet Knights 17 and set up the tying touchdown. He also caught a 23-yard pass, a 14-yard pass and an 18-yard pass on a third-and-6 from the UConn 26 that eventually set up the go-ahead touchdown.

"Geremy's done exactly what I thought he would do from the beginning," Weist said. "He's been a dominant player for us. It's frustrating because we would like to get him the ball more. He wants the ball. He's a very competitive player and he wants to make plays. He's done a good job.

"You could say a player at his level with his skill set could be a little more selfish, but he's been great at being unselfish. He comes out every day and works hard. He could be one of the best receivers in the country if we could work an offense that gets him the ball more, he could be a guy that easily catches 10 balls a game."

Three times this season, Davis has reached the century mark in receiving yards -- 100 against Towson, 102 against Buffalo and 140 against Cincinnati -- and over his last four games, Davis has been as steady as they come with 76 yards against Louisville, 77 against SMU, 83 against Temple and 98 against Rutgers.

"He's put in so much time these last four years that he's been here and he's a great leader," quarterback Casey Cochran, the former Masuk standout, said. "When he has the ball in his hands, he can do some really special things with it."

"I'm not surprised," Weist added. "He's a very tough football player. He's one of the hardest workers, if not the hardest worker on the team. Every day he works at his craft. He's stays after practice and works on his techniques and his catching, so it's no surprise when a player like that has success."

What's impressive is the fact that Davis has put up these numbers despite not having much chemistry with the revolving quarterback door this season, starting with Chandler Whitmer, then going to Tim Boyle and now Cochran.

"It's been a tough year for him, just from the standpoint of inconsistency at quarterback, and the last few games, he's had just four or five catches," Weist said. "He's one of our best competitors and most competitive players I've been around. He's got a great chance to have a really great career here and play at the next level and be impressive at the next level."

And if Cochran can get him the ball enough on Saturday, Davis could become UConn's first 1,000-yard receiver in 15 years.

"I'm sure it'll be a great accolade to accomplish, but I just want to help my team win," Davis said. "If I have to do it in the blocking game, I'll do it in the blocking game, but obviously I want to do it in the receiving game. I just want to continue to step up and do the best I can."